Class hasn’t started, but I spent the day wandering this beautiful city, where many artists have settled. I see why: whimsy, color, characters and celebration abound. I can’t put my camera away. I have limited myself to only my iPhone to make photo art with; I wanted to simplify and force myself to use it as an instrument for making images. I am not a photographer, per se, I’m an artist that makes images with my camera.

Tomorrow we begin to paint, and my mind is full of inspiration. After spending the day filling my mind with images, I’m excited to explore them with my true love, making images with paint. When I close my eyes, I see the city’s colors, sounds, smells and images. Like a volcano ready to erupt, I’m a painter ready to explore what my eyes and soul have seen.